Coupling



Patented Nov. 24, 1.942

UNITED sTATES f PAT-EN COUPLING "Julius Dusevoir, n Dearborn, Mich,`, :assignor to x Y Century' Motors Corporation, Dearborn, MichaA acorporationof Michigan l n n '1 Application July 31, 194i, Serial No. '404,755" '5 claims;A (c1. 287-113) This invention relates to separable couplings for rotating elements', and Yhas vrfor,- its principal object the provision of such coupling that is capable of transmitting a maximum" amount vof Y torque in a coupling of minimum diameter.

Objects'of theY invention include the provisions 1 of a coupling for joining a pairv of rotating elements that eliminates ther use of bolts or like connecting means'subjected to shearing stresses in'the transmission of torque between theelements; the provision of a coupling for joining a pair of rotatable elements together thatA utilizes substantially'the entire opposingv end facesV of the elements to transmit the torque `load between them; the provisions of a; coupling for yjoining fa pair of rotatable elements that automatically maintain its. axial alignmentythe'provision of 'a elevational view showing a propeller secured VtoVV the end ofA a propellershaft by a coupling formed lin accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view i taken ont the line v6--6 of Fig. 5 and illustrating Vthe co-operating end of the propeller shaft vln/ end elevation;

A, Fig.r rIlisza view similar to Fig, 5 but illustrat- Y ing a modiedl form `of coupling arrangement;`

Fig. 8 is an kenlarged transverse sectional view`V .taken-'omaha une s-s of Fig. '1 and iuustrating srratedfend off the vation. v i L The coupling of the present invention may .beV

propellerl shaft in `end ele- Vemployed to drivingly connect any rotatable pair coupling'for use between a pai'rof rotatable ele- Y Vxrnent'sfthzat embodies thernaximumg-aniount of strength in a minimum diameterfthe provi-sion of a two-part coupling the opposing faces ofwhich are provided witha plurality of groups of cornplement-ary serrations thereon with the serrations 'of each group disposed at an'angle to the serrations lof other groups; whereby when `the serrations of both of the elements aref arranged in complementary relationship thetwo elements are locked togetherV against lateral displacement "in any directionJwith respect to each other# and the'provision of a couplingfor rotating elements, as above described, that is simple in construction, eflicient in operation and economical to produce1 The above being among the objectsiofthe present invention, the sam'e consists in certain'novel features of construction and combinations of parts to b'e hereinafter 'described with'reference tofthe `accompanying drawings, and thenfcl'aimed, vhavf ling the above andotherobjects in View: Y,

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate suitable embodiments of the presentinyention and 'in vwhich 'like numerals referk to like e Parts throughout theseveral different views of elements-having*a.common= axis of rotation, and'by its use substantially the entire areaot the 'co-operating end'facesvof the two elements may be vemployed for Aresisting relative rotationv be Y' tween the 'elementslanc` wheretproperly constructedas to the angularity of .the side vfaces ofV the serrations, eliminates the'xneed of placing connecting devices such as bolts orV the likeunder shearingl stresses, in 'the transmission of, torque between the elements.4 z-In ,this respect, ,the in- 'vention'is similarfto the coupling .disclosed inmy United States Patent No. 2,013,039, issued SepvternberV 3; 1935,onV Crankshaft, the diierence' of vthe presentinvention as comparedto the lcoupling-shown'in my above identied'rpatent being Y '.fthatL-in` the presentk casethe co-operating serrations'are so constructed Vand arrangedlthat when' int proper complementary relation they v dpositively prohibit,1ina`nd of themselves, radial displacement of,`r one element with respectto ther -otherin any direction, as Well as further to pro-f hibit relative rotation between thesentwo -elements fThisdillerencein effect isfobtainedin vthepresent invention by arranging the serrations Y I iin ,a plurality of groups', the serrations of each I `g'rouprpreferablyl :xtending transversely -with Are-Y Figure 1 lis a fragmentarmside elevationalview ,v

of apairv of rotatable shafts coupled togetherin accordance with the presentjinvention;

Fig; 2 "is a transverse sectional 4viewtaken'on theline '2f-2 oflfigl; A I n i y y Fig. 3 is ya' fragmentary, sectional view" taken l j axially through'the joint shown-5in FigsQly and 2 and as on the line 3*-3vof Fig. 42; f

`Fig-4 is `anfendelevational view ofA one lolfthe shafts shown in theV preceding views illustrating the serrations therein. provided for the purposes of the coupling of the Ypresent invention;

F185 iS a fragmentary, partiallysectioned, side 55 spect to lines radialtozthe axis of rotation ofthe two element-s and generally arranged at different l angles to `serrations of other groups injithe cou- .plinggz 1n.otheryvorcls, inrmy prior artpatent above-identified, the co-operating ss'errationsv be tween* the associated partswere curved andiall strucktabout the same. center and., accordingly,

with such construction',V when Vtheztwo partsv of vvthe coupling -arefree of means-maintaining them Y fin axialalignznent,` the two parts may bek disf Vplaced Vradially with respect tofeach other kalong .i 'the arc of the-curved serrations. r Theserrations, in accordance with therpresent' T A OFFICE" atan angle to theserrations, or par invention, may be made either. straight or curved,

' but are arranged in groupsY of two or more with the serrations of each vgroup arranged generally Where the sides of the serrationsare parallel to the axis of `rotation of the coupling, or at an anglewith respect thereto less than the angle .of friction between the two elements ofthe coupling, then all that is required in addition to the serrations to maintain thev operativenessiof the coupling-is some means to prevent axial separa--` tion of the two parts ofthe coupling. Where the sidefaces ofthe various serrations exceed the angle of friction of the material from which they are formed, then, of course', some'nieans-must be asoaosa i be employed for securing'the two rotatable elements against axial separation, the particular means shown by way of illustration being simply indicative of one way that this may be satisfac-V torily accomplished.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, and particu1arly to-Figs. l to 4 inclusive, the two elements there shown connected together are, for .the purpose of illustration, shown as concentri/c cylindrical shaftsV lli and I2, having cooperating abutting faces arranged generallyin a plane perpendicular to. the axes of the shafts. Eachrshaft I0 and I2 is formed to provide a relative shallow, radially directed, annular flange I'l at that end thereof cooperating with the opposed endv of the other of said shafts and auch flanges are provideda with beveled axially directed faces I6 asbestindicated in Fig. 3. In accordance with the`\present invention, the opl "posed faces of the abutting ends of the shafts ill and i2, as well as ilangesJl, are provided with interengaging and complemental serrations Il. In accordance -with the present invention,Y the serrations I8 are arranged in three groups, best provided* for maintainingy the two-parts ofthe coupling against axial separation under the-reaction between co-operatingfaces of the `serrations on the two elements resulting from' Athe transmission of torque between the two elements. 1

As a manner of illustration onlyrin the accompanying drawings serrations of the last described type are shown.

The number of groups of serrations in a coupling, in accordance with the present invention,

is more or fless immaterial as long as .there'are two or more groups, and, likewise, whether the serrations are straight or ofruniform or irregular curvature is more or less unimportant as long as shown in Fig. 4, and thereettered as A, B and C, respectivelyvAs previously explained, the serrations, or at leastportions of the serrations of each group` should, inaccordance with the pres- `ent invention'be arranged`generally transversely of lines radial to the shafts on which they are formed 'and disposed atanglesto the serrations or parts of serrations of other groups. While Y such serrations may be either straight or curved, as previously explained, particularly where three groups are employed as in the construction shown in Figs. 1 o

curvedserrations and intheparticular constructhe serrations of each group extend generally in a direction transverse to lines radial of the axis of rotation of the coupling and at least parts of` the serrations of one group are disposed atan angle with respect to atleast parts of the serrations of another group; However, Ihave found it generally desirable to use serrations of a curved' nature with the serrationsof 'each group struck.

from a common center, and where three of such vtion shown.

Y The serratio'ns of group A are all struck about the center a, the serrations of group B about the center b, and the serrations of group C aboutthe center c. Centers a. b and c are, of course, equally angular-ly spaced from each other about the axesof thegshafts Il and i2, and the radii of curvature of the serrations I8 are preferably smallenough so that substantially the entire end faces of thefshafts i0 and i2 and their co-operating flanges i4 are serrated, as indicated in Fig. 4. 'I'he serrations Il on theend of one groups are employed, then it is possible to substantially completely fill the opposing faces of the two elements of the coupling with serrations,

thereby to utilize substantially the entire areas l of such surfaces in resisting relative movement of one of the elements with respect'to the other thereof either in the transmission of torque, under bending loads or the'like. Accordingly, in the preferred embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying drawings the two elementsof the coupling are illustrated asvhavingvz three groups of serrations and one embodiment is illustrated as havingfur groups.

tion may be utilized'ir joining rotating elementsv of any type or character as long as theyhave a common axis of rotation. For the purpose of simplicity of description,'however, in the drawings I have shown two shafts connectedA together in the preferredembodiment and, inorderfto illustrate a different application, I have showna marine propeller secured tov a propeller shafty by.

means of theY couplings of the presentnvention.

shaft are, of course, so arranged as to be complementary to the serrations on the other lof the shafts sc that'ltheyV interflt one withL the other, as indicated in Fig, 3, when the two shafts are arranged in concentric and abutting relationship. It will, of course, be appreciated that where the serrations of the group A, for instance, are'identical to and are identically arranged with the serrations of groups B and C, particularly with relation to the `center 'of the shafts, then the two shafts i0 andY I! may be joined together with o `the serrations in inter-fitting relationship .in any It will be appreciated that the lpresentinven- 65 one of threefdiiferent positions, but where this is riottrue, then the shafts can be joined together only inA one position', of rotation with respect to the other. In any event, when the two shafts are joinedgether in axially abutting relationship, `as is particularly brought in Fig. 3, the interfitting serrations Il on both shafts utilize substantially the entire end vfaces of the shafts to. resist relative rotation of the shafts. The serrations of the various groups being disposed transversely with respect to lines radiallyr of the shafts, and

-theserraticns of one group being disposed atan It will also be appreciated that in the practice of the present invention any suitable means may angle to the serrations of the other group, it will be appreciated that when the serrations are in interiitting relationshiphthe shafts III andv l! tol-4, inclusive, vI prefer to employ ting serrations positively prevent any possible radial displacement of one shaftin any directionV withrespect tothe axis, of the othershaft. This In this casev the propeller shaft is indicated at Q50," the'propeller generally at 52 and as having lblades 5l and hub 56;` VThe" opposed end faces of theshaft and hub 56 are "provided with isV the principal feature of diiferencebetween the 5 s'eirations SU, asbest illustrated in Fig.V il.v In presentriuvention and nthat, disclosed in my prior Y this case, however, instead-of employing three United States patent above identified. groupsof serrations,v four groups D, E, F.; and- G Inasmuch as thevintertting serrationsserve are employed, the fourgroups'being equi-anguto transmit the torque between-theV shafts Ill'fand larly' disposedwithrespect to each other about l2, all V` that is necessaryis ,tovmalntaini thejtiwo l0 the axes of the shaft 5 0 and propeller-52. "The Ashafts against axial 'separation-in ,order to render vseri-ations Vtill4 in this caseare arcuate4 in curvathe Serrations effective in transmitting: torque. Y 'ture'y and the Vserrationspf?Teach' group struck;Y While, as previously mentioned, jany .suitable or from Vthe' same'center and, of course; the serra- 1 conventional means maybe provided "for maintions of opposed groupsV of the two faces interilt -taining the shafts I0. and l2 against'axial separa- 15 inthe Vsame generalmanner' as inlthe previously i tion, in the particular construction shown where described' construction.` In this/j'cas'e,v inr orden Vthe shafts are provided 'with the shallow 'annular tojsecure the propeller 52 against axial separaflanges I4 having beveled outer faces l6,fa threetion'from theAshaft '50', the shaft 5B is-provided part clamping device,such as'illustrated `in the V withariaxially projecting studV 62,`which'm'ayL drawings is preferably employed. g Such clamping 20 Abe formed separately from'orintegrally with .,the device consists of three'parts 2,0 combining to shaft;- v50,",as desired, Y' it beingVV shown integral substantially encircl'ethe abuttingfflanges'ill, totherewith for the purposes of illustration. f TheV gether with tangentially directed bolts 2'2 between propeller`52'in this case is provided with an axial4 adjacent ends of adjacent members 20 and co- Y opening 64 in which the Vstud`62 is received, and Operating nuts ,24. `The members 2B as thus illus- 25 a cap-65 threaded onv the outer endv of the stud trailed infFgn3 are nteriorly grooved in con- 62 engages the rearface of the hub 55, thereby i'ormance with the contour of the combined tomaintain the propeller 52 and shaft 50 against flanges I 4 so that when drawn together by the axial separation. 'Obviously the same benet bolts 22 and nuts 24 they cooperate with the will result in this Aconstruction as in the conbevel faces I6 to secure ends'of the shafts Vlll 3o struction illustrated ln-Flgs. 5 and 6. and l2 rigidly together.V v vFormal changes may be made in the specic l l In Figs. 5 and 6 in order to illustrate a dif- `embodiments Vof ,the invention disclosed Ywithout ferent adaptation of the present invention and a departing from the substance andthe spirit-ooi different method of maintaining thetwo rotatthe broad invention, the scope of which is comableelements against axial separation the eou- 35 vmensurate with the appended claims. ,"pling of the present invention is shown applied lWhat I claim is: Y

between a marine Propeller vand rlits propeller 1. In a coupling for apair of members having f shaft. vThe shaft is herein indicated at 30 and is abutting surfaces adapted to be joinedtogether 0f Course 2 Cylindrical Shaft. The Propeller iS inand secured against vdisplacement in. all direcdicated generally 2S 32 and aS having a pail 0f 4.0 tions, means for positively'preventing displacediametlauy Opposed blades 34 and a hub 3.5- ment between said abutting surfaces, saidmeans. 'Ihe rearend of the shaft 30 and the forward face comprising a multiplicity of interlocking, sei-rao of the hub 36 lie in planes perpendicular to their tions formed 'm the abutting. surfaces of said ff respective axes of rotation and, as best indicated members and being of such Configuration that in, ,.Fig- 6 which is an end elevation 0f the Teal' 45 at least portions thereof would crossany straight end Ofthe Shaft 3, the Teal end Of the Shaft une iyjn'gein the plane of said Surfaces and passand the forward face ofthe hub l36 are each proing through the center thereof whereby', radial vided with serrations I8' arranged in three equalslippage *and axial turning is prevented in 11 ly angularly disposed groups A', B and C'. directions l The serrations I8' are similar to the serra- 50 In a ooiipling for apaiiof members having tions '8 previously described but in this case abutting surfaces adapted to be joined together are struck on relatively shorter radii, but they l Y and seein-ed againstl displacement in all dii-ee-' L are complementary and imert'with one an* tionsi means for positively preventing ,displace-f other in the same manner as in the previously ment between said abili-,tingv Surfaces ofAvr said described constructions' In this Case' in Order 555 members, said ineans comprising a multiplicity t9 hold the hub 3.5 of the prpeuer 32' against of interlocking serrations formed in the abutaxial Separation from the Shaft 3 af'cap 3s" is ting surfaces and being ofuniforin cross section .Providd for the fear @nd of the Propeller 32 and from end to end and or such conngurationqthat' three equiangularly spaced bolts o passed at least portions thereof would cross any straight through the cap 38 and'hub 3E' and. thread Into 60 line lying in the plane of said surfaces and passthe rear end of the Shaft 3 It 'Wm be appre' ing through the centen/thereof whereby radial elated that the bolts 40 need to be of suic1ent" slippage rand axial tu/ng is prevented in all strength to prevent axial separation of the pro- .directions peller 32 and shaft 30 when the'propeller shaft. i f 30 is reversed in direction to back the cooperat- 65 3' In a couplmg for a' pau of members having abutting surfaces adapted to be joined together and secured against displacement in all direc-. tions, means for positively preventing displacement between said'abutting surfaces, said means comprising a plurality of groupsyof serrations disposed about the centers of said abuttingsurfaces, each of said groups including a vmultiplicity i of interlocking serrations formed the abuttingv surfaces of said members, andl he ,configuration of said serrations and the arra gement of said "ing bolt. During normal forward movement the thrustof the propeller itself would ordinarily .be sulcient to maintain the serrated Vfaces on the propeller and shaft in proper engagement so that under such conditionsgthe bolts 40 are subjectedI to substantially no stress whatever except the tensile stress initially applied in drawing up the parts together. I

In Figs. 7 and 8 a slight modification of the constructions shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is illustrated. 75

groups` being such'. that at. least'. portions. of: said:V

serrations will crossany straight` line` in the plane of said'. surfaces.' and;` passing; through..v the center thereof, whereby radial slippage and.

axial turning is prevented invv all. directions..

4. In a `coupling fora pairv of membersv having:l abutting surfaces adaptedto be Vjoined..togetherv and secured against displacement inali'direc tions, means for positivelyV preventing, displace ment between said abutting surfaces, said-'means'.

comprising. aV plurality ofgroups of serrations:

disposed aboutthe centersvof saidl abutting-surfaces, each of said. groups comprising: a multiplicity. of arcuately formed. interlocking; serra.-

tions of `uniform crossv sectionl from end yto` end formed in the abuttingA surfaces of saidv members, and the conguration ofy said serrations.

and the arrangement of said1groups. beingl such.`

that at least portions vof saidserrations .willzcross any straight lineI lyingin the pla1;\e.oi.jsaidsur@v -faces and passing through'V thev centerr thereof,

whereby' radialv slippage-.and axial turningis pre.- vented in all directions.

loY

Y of 'saidaserrations andthe arrangement of said:

aaosmsaz 5;". Ina :iL-.couplingv for a. pairfof members havingv abutting surfacesv adaptedto be joined. together and secureei against'. displacement inzall direc tions. means for positively preventing'V displacement between said. abutting,r surfaces, said. means comprisinga pluralityv of groups of serrations disposed: about .the centers, of said abutting surfaces, each of said groups including. a multiplicity of; interlockingserrations formed; in the abutting surfaces o'ff said members-and the configuration.

groups: being suchV that. at least portions of said serrationsfw-ill cross anyvstraight line lyingin the plane: offv saidv surfaces and.y passing* through' the center thereof, whereby radial slippage. and axial` turningis .preventedz in: all directions, each-group being; of substantially the.' same angular, extent aboutthecenter ofjsaidsurfaces, and the serra.-

.tionsofeachi group. beinglstruck from a common.`

centeri'eccentricto said.. centers of said abutting surfaces,V and` means maintaining said. surfaces in. abutting relationship;N

.. JULIUS DUSEVOIR. 

